help - Linux desktop connect via USBSupport

I am a new Android user, who just purchased a Samsung Captivate a few days ago. .... My desktop runs Linux (Gentoo, specifically).

I am trying to connect my phone via USB to transfer pictures, music, and video. However, the phone is not recognized (no auto-mount options), regardless if I choose Kries, Media, Storage, PC Internet, or USB Debugging. The phone says there is a connection, but my computer seems completely unaware of it. Nothing every happens. ... BTW, I don't have this problem, if I plug in my iPod or a generic USB device.

I have downloaded and installed the Adroid SDK, but I don't know what to do with it, or if that is even relevant.

Any suggestions? Google is not helping me, because everybody else is having trouble with Windows, not Linux.

Incidentally, when I boot into WindowsXP (dual-boot box), I also have trouble unless I plug the USB cable into the back and unplug my Logitech Keyboard+mouse combo. Even then, I can only connect in "Mass Storage" mode. Kies and Media Player mode fail because the MTP driver cannot be loaded (or, service cannot be found/started). Could this be a voltage and USB 2.0 issue? See:

Check your udev/hal rules. It's possible they're not catching the proper attributes from the usb devices (you should see 2 mounts; one for the internal storage, and one for the external sd card if present).

The android sdk page that you downloaded it from should have a section on modifying the udev rules to properly recognize the Captivate.

Just wanted to chime in to say that I am having the same issue. I can see the device registering in dmesg when its gets plugged in, but I cannot mount it. I tried setting the device to be used as mass storage automatically, and ask every time.

I am running Sabayon, which a derivative of Gentoo, so maybe we have a gentoo specific issue.

Second note. On a whim, I switched from the usb cable I got with a nexus one to the one I got with the captivate. Now when I plug in the captivate, in addition to the connection message, I get a continuing list of usb reset messages:

I have seen posts in other threads, where several people resolved similar issues, on Windows at least, by plugging into the main USB ports on the back, instead of the expansion ports on the front or the lower-back. A few others had problems from conflicting devices (external USB HDD, for example). Their problems seemed to stem from low voltages or other conflicts.

Ok, after bashing my head against the wall for too long, I finally resolved most of my problems. My box dual-boots into Windows, so I debugged the problem in Windows first, because of the proliferation of data in Google on it. There can be lots of causes that produce the same error, unrecognized MTP device, so I am posting my condensed trouble-shooting cookbook here:

For Windows Users:

Put the device in "Kies" or "Media Player" mode, which makes the device appear as an MTP (Windows proprietary combo, media device). Then plug it in and wait up to 1 minute. It takes longer than usual to discover this device versus a USB Mass Storage device (flash card).

If that fails, try using a USB port on the back. These often have better voltage supply and signal integrity than the front panel or other expansion ports.

If that fails, consider trying a powered (with external power plug) USB hub, again plugged into the back. Maybe your device is not getting enough power? It happens...

If that fails, install the Samsung USB Modem drivers. You may have to try step #4 again.

Then, try installing Samsung's Kies player. You may have to do step #4 again.

If that fails, try exploring (and forcing) the underlying driver choices in the Device manager. In other words, force MTP, Samsung, etc by using "Update driver" or "Add Hardware" wizards. On occasion, Windows picks the wrong driver... You will have to try step #4 again.

MTP is built into Windows Media Player, so trying install Windows Media Player again. It gets corrupted on occasion. (Try #4 again.)

Make sure all your Windows software is up to date (no old drivers, latest .NET stuff, etc.)

Probe all LUNs on each SCSI device (*critical*)
Device Drivers ---> USB support --->
most of the EHCI, OHCI, and UHCI stuff - built-in, where possible

If you are missing modules, then rebuild the kernel, reboot, and try again.

If only one device is detected, then the problem is that you are not probing all the LUNs (devices inside the phone). The first one is the empty card slot, which is why nothing pops up (I am guessing). Anyway, once I started probing for all the LUNs, now I see this:

Now, my only remaining problem is finding an audio player that can sync my stuff to the phone. SongBird has all my ratings and playlists, but for some reason, it can't see the phone. I guess that's another thread...

As a total Android newbie (day one!) wanting to mount from Linux, the bit that took me forever to figure out was that you need additionally to allow the mount from within the phone's notification bar drop-down.

This seems profoundly nebulous to me, but maybe it makes sense to Android veterans.

For newbies:

Put phone in USB mass storage mode

From primary home screen, push menu button.

Select "Settings", then "Applications" -> "USB settings"

Choose either "Mass storage" or "Ask on connection"

Plug in USB cable

If you set phone to "Ask on connection", you'll need to choose "Mass storage" at this point

Expand notification bar

Touch notification bar at top of screen

Slide your finger down the screen

Notification area should expand.

Tap "USB connected" area of notification drop-down

Press "Mount" button

That's it.

Depending on your Linux installation/configuration, both internal and external SD cards should automount and file browser windows should appear

If that doesn't work, then you need to do a lot of the complicated Linux debugging detailed in the other posts above.